Multiple Countries Evacuate Diplomatic Staff from Middle East as Signs Indicate US Could Attack Iran Soon
Multiple countries, including European nations and the UK, are evacuating non-essential diplomatic staff from the Middle East amid rising U.S.-Iran tensions and potential Israeli involvement. Further departures expected in 24-48 hours as regional conflicts escalate.
Sveral European countries, along with the United Kingdom, have initiated the evacuation of non-essential diplomatic personnel from the Middle East, citing heightened risks from escalating U.S.-Iran confrontations and potential Israeli involvement.
This development follows earlier U.S. withdrawals from regional military bases and comes amid warnings of possible preemptive strikes by Iran.The evacuations are inferred from a surge in European cargo and VIP aircraft flights to and from the region, as tracked by the Military Air Tracking Alliance, suggesting an organized pullout of staff to mitigate security threats.
No official statements from European governments have confirmed the moves, but the pattern aligns with precautionary measures during past escalations. Earlier in January, the United States advised non-essential personnel and families to leave key bases, including Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest U.S. military facility in the Middle East, by January 14, 2026, amid threats from Iran of retaliatory strikes on U.S. assets.
Some British military personnel were also reported to have departed from the same base.
Russia conducted emergency evacuations of embassy staff from Tel Aviv, Israel, earlier in the month, with at least three flights reported on January 8, 2026, though details remain unconfirmed by Moscow.
Analysts suggest further departures could occur within the next 24-48 hours if tensions intensify, particularly following recent U.S. military deployments and Iranian leadership signals.
Gulf allies like Saudi Arabia and the UAE have publicly stated they will not allow their airspace for U.S. strikes on Iran, adding to regional complexities.
While some observers view these actions as speculative based on flight data, the pattern mirrors responses to prior crises, such as U.S. evacuations before strikes in 2025.
No widespread civilian evacuations have been reported.